Emporia State University established the Kansas Master Teacher awards in 1954. The awards are presented annually to teachers who have served the profession long and well and who also typify the outstanding qualities of earnest and conscientious teachers.

Since 1980, Bank of America has pledged more than $100,000 to permanently endow the Kansas Master Teacher awards. In 1984, the Black family of Broken Bow, Okla., established an endowed chair for Kansas Master Teachers. The fund provides a stipend to bring two Master Teachers to ESU for part of a semester. During this time, the teachers present to classes of education students.

The 2012 class will be honored on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, in Emporia. The schedule of events for the day includes a look back at teaching styles of the past at the one-room schoolhouse at ESU and lunch with ESU President Michael D. Shonrock.

The master teachers will present a seminar in Visser Hall 330 from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. on “Engaging Excellence Through Education.” The evening begins at 5:15 p.m. with social time outside Webb Hall in ESU’s Memorial Union. The dinner and awards presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. in Webb Hall.

Both the seminar and awards presentation are open to the public and media. Cost for the meal is $14. Reservations are required and must be received by Friday, March 23. For more information or to make reservations, contact the ESU Teachers College dean’s office at tcstudent@emporia.edu or call (620) 341-5367. A dinner reservation form is also available online at www.emporia.edu/teach/dean/master/.

Emporia State University is a dynamic and progressive student-centered learning community that fosters student success through engagement in academic excellence, community and global involvement, and the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment.